Latest news with #DrosFrecwast
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Reform Wales: Welsh party leader questions 'a distraction'
The question of who leads Reform UK into next year's Senedd election has been dismissed as a "distraction" by the man handling the party's communications in Powell said Nigel Farage was party leader and "at the moment, there's no one we're going to appoint as the leader of the party [in Wales]".Powell was speaking after Reform won its first UK Parliamentary by-election, taking the Labour north west of England seat of Runcorn and Helsby from Labour, and its first mayoral election, in Greater hopes to win its first Senedd seats next May. Recent polls suggest support for the party is closely behind Labour and neck-and-neck with Plaid Cymru. Asked on Radio Cymru's breakfast programme Dros Frecwast if Reform has a leader in Wales, Powell said: "The leader of the party is Nigel Farage, but in Wales there are a lot of people who will be standing as candidates in the next election."Pressed on whether it would have a leader for the Senedd election, Powell responded: "In the next election, people will be able to see who stands, but words like 'leader in Wales' are just a distraction."At the moment, there's no one we're going to appoint as the leader of the party [in Wales]."Last month, Reform said Oliver Lewis, who represented Reform in Wales at last summer's general election campaign in debates and media interviews, will not be a candidate next year and is no longer the party's Welsh week, Farage refused to be drawn on whether Reform would appoint a new Welsh leader before the Senedd election, telling BBC Wales "give me time".Caroline Jones, Reform chair in the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend, called the English overnight election results "astounding".She was "looking forward to the Senedd elections and we will do very, very well", she added. 'So hacked off' The Conservative shadow Welsh secretary at Westminster, Mims Davies, said Reform's electoral successes in England meant it now faced a test."This is about who runs your services, who steps up and delivers for you locally," she told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast."Reform are going to have to do that - moving from protest party to actually being in the driving seat and seeing if they can cut it and can deliver."On Labour's Runcorn by-election defeat, the party's Pontypridd Senedd member Mick Antoniw said a "lot of people" were "basically so hacked off by the Conservatives at the general election but don't feel yet that there's any inspiration or change coming from Labour"."But it is really early days for [the UK] Labour government," he said."A very difficult economic situation, all sorts of things happening internationally and we're only nine months in."Yet the "warning bells" were ringing for Labour and the party needed to "think carefully", Antoniw added.
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cardiff rugby fans 'shocked and gutted' at club administration
Rugby fans have said they are "shocked and gutted" as one of Wales' top teams heads into an emergency meeting on Tuesday, Cardiff Rugby announced it intended to serve a notice of intent (NOI) to appoint an the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is in line for a takeover of the regional side, which is one of the four professional Welsh rugby union supporter said it was a big blow to fans who, just a few months ago, were feeling "proud" of the fact it appeared a "huge investment" for the club had been secured. An NOI is a formal document filed in court by a company or its directors, to inform parties the company intends to enter administration, a process aimed at rescuing a struggling business from Glaister, chairwoman of the CF10 Rugby Trust - an independent voice for supporters - said they were "shocked" and "gutted".Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Ms Glaister said "something has gone wrong" with the investment in the club agreed as part of last year's takeover by investment group Helford Capital added "questions have to be asked about that", reassuring members her organisation would do all it could "to ensure the survival of our great capital city club"."We now need to look to the future," she said."Cardiff Rugby has been around since 1876 and we need to ensure we are around for our 150 year anniversary and for many decades beyond." One supporter, Wyn Williams said fans were in a state of "shock and disappointment". "A few months ago we were all proud of the fact that a huge investment had come into the club. So this today has come as a big blow to us as a club," he told Newyddion S4C. Dr Huw Jones, former chief executive of Sport Wales, said the club's administration news was "very sad".Speaking to BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast programme, Mr Jones said he was concerned about the club's staff and coaches, adding: "It's a difficult time, we don't know what's going to happen with the administrator. "Maybe we will see changes in the club… but it is too soon to say that at the moment."He said it was "very important for the union to come in and help the club, because they have said that they want to see four professional rugby teams in Wales in order to see future developments".The other three professional regional sides in Wales are the Newport-based Dragons, the Swansea-based Ospreys and the Llanelli-based Scarlets. Mr Jones said "Cardiff is in the heart of the city" and claimed the club "get more fans than anything else", but said serious consideration needed to be given to the number of professional teams in Wales and their locations."There are fans who want to know what the situation is," he added."Why were Helford appointed in the first place, and what were the recommendations from the board after the due diligence was done? "And also what has been happening over the past year regarding their financial contribution?" The concerns surrounding the due diligence done ahead of the takeover were echoed by Alex Bywater, rugby reporter for the Daily Mail newspaper, who said there were "serious questions" to be answered and he did not see how the club's current leadership team could remain in post with an "imminent" WRU takeover added: "It really does sort of muddy the waters a little bit. "Some people have said this is the opportunity to go down to three regions or whatever but, for me, not having professional rugby in Cardiff, it's unthinkable."So I don't think that that will happen."Looking to the future, Dr Edward Jones senior lecturer in economics at Bangor University, said asking the club's management team to take a pay cut, "to show that they believe there is a future for the club", would be the first course of action."If they don't do that, I suppose it will be over for Cardiff Rugby club in their current form," he said."Then they will have to look if it is possible to save money in other areas of the club, and how they can restructure the club."Meanwhile, Cardiff Students' Union said it had moved its Welsh Varsity rugby fixtures on Wednesday to the Principality Stadium next door "due to exceptional circumstances".The annual men's and women's rugby matches between Cardiff and Swansea universities alternate between the two cities each year."All Welsh Varsity Rugby tickets will remain valid and the fixture times remain unchanged," it said. Analysis - Cennydd Davies, BBC Sport Wales commentator The first thing to say is how sad it is to see a global brand like Cardiff in difficulties. But it is a difficult situation, a very complicated situation. We believe that the union will take the reins, but for how long? The only precedent for this is what happened to the Dragons, but that ownership by the union continued for six years. The other question is whether there are individuals and private companies who will be ready to finance and ensure that there is money flowing through the coffers here. But I believe that this is part of a wider picture, not limited to Wales, and it shows the huge problems facing the sport across the [the union] will try to keep contracts and pay players' wages. It's a headache - it's the last thing they want to see. There are so many difficulties facing the Welsh Rugby Union at the moment. And, in addition, we still haven't received the long-awaited report regarding the way forward, the way to run the professional sport in Wales, which is supposed to take us to 2029. That is based on four regional teams, there are big questions now if that will happen.
BBC News
17-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Harrogate clean sheet a bonus for Jardim
Iwan Roberts believes Newport County's clean sheet will be one of the most pleasing aspects of their victory over Harrogate Town for boss Nelson Exiles shipped five goals as they were thumped by Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium four days they maintained their strong home record as goals from Cameron Evans, Courtney Baker-Richardson and James Clarke earned Newport a 3-0 triumph over Simon Weaver's side at Rodney was their 10th success at home in League Two this season, with only Bradford City, Walsall and Wimbledon managing they have won just three times away in the league this former Wales forward Roberts has challenged Jardim's men to replicate their home form on the road."Their home record has been brilliant," Roberts told BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast programme."Nelson Jardim will be happy with the clean sheet as well after conceding five at Accrington Stanley."They've won five of their last seven at Rodney Parade, but the problem for Newport is the performances and results away from home."But it's a brilliant result for them on Saturday beating Harrogate 3-0."
BBC News
17-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Meite goal the 'most important' of Cardiff career
Iwan Roberts hailed Yakou Meite's matchwinner at Blackburn Rovers as the most important goal of the forward's Cardiff City 29, scored with his first touch of the match after replacing Callum Robinson in the 72nd minute of the Championship contest at Ewood was only the fourth goal the Ivory Coast international has scored for the Bluebirds since joining from Reading in the summer of former Wales striker Roberts felt Cardiff had to win against Rovers to ensure Omer Riza kept his position as manager."I thought if Omer Riza lost the game he would have lost his job," Roberts told BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast programme."Yakou Meite, he'd only been on the pitch for a minute and he scores the goal that wins it."He's only scored four goals for the club in 66 games, but that's certainly the most important."Despite victory, Cardiff sit just one point above the Championship's relegation zone with eight matches remaining this Roberts feels the Bluebirds must continue to pick up wins to stay ahead of the likes of Derby County and Luton Town who have improved of late."It's only their second away win this season and they went into the game having lost four in a row, including against Aston Villa in the FA Cup," he added."They're still only one point ahead of Derby who are third from bottom and they've got great momentum, they've won their last three."Luton, they've taken seven points from their last four games, those two teams are starting to pick up points."
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
I'd love to see Cooper back at Swansea
Andy Robinson says Swansea City chairman Andy Coleman has "just got to get it right" as he seeks a replacement for Luke Williams, sacked as head coach after 13 months in charge. And ex-Swans fans' favourite Robinson says he would like to see former boss Steve Cooper back in the role, though admits that is "very ambitious". Williams left with Swansea 17th in the second tier following a seventh defeat in nine matches at Stoke City on Saturday. "It had to happen," said Robinson who watched the game at the bet365 Stadium for BBC Radio Wales. "Unfortunately in football the buck will always stop with the manager. He selects the team, he brings the players in and as I said on Saturday if there was ever a game of football Luke Williams was going to win in this bad run of form it was that game. "Unfortunately he never got the win and to lose 3-1 I think the writing was on the wall." While Williams has paid the price for an alarming slump in form which has seen Swansea slip towards the bottom three with 13 league fixtures remaining, chairman Coleman and the club's board are also under fire for a series of disappointing appointments and poor recruitment. "They need to make sure now that the new boss coming in is the right one because it's been drastic at the football club now for two or three years and making small steps and not really getting anywhere," added Robinson. "I think the biggest thing about the structure and the make-up of the football club is a trust element, and the trust element from the board, who've certainly played their part in all of this. "From the manager to the chairman and from the chairman to the manager and the players and when you lose that at any football club it's a difficult one to get back. "You thought Luke Williams was going to be the man but he [Coleman] has just got to get it right now. For the football club to move forward [it] has got to be done correctly." Assistant head coach Alan Sheehan has been named caretaker boss for a second time "on an interim basis", with Swansea saying the search for a permanent successor to Williams is "already under way". Cooper, 43, left the Championship club in 2021 after leading Swansea to the play-offs in each of his two seasons in charge. He then took Nottingham Forest to the Premier League via the play-offs and kept them in the top flight for one season before losing his job at the City Ground. He has been out of work since a 12-game spell in charge of Premier League Leicester City at the start of this season. "There's a man there who did an absolute worldy of a job at the football club, Steve Cooper," said Robinson. "Whether he'd drop down a level, I'd love to see him back at the football club but that's very ambitious." Another former Swansea player, ex-Wales midfielder Owain Tudur Jones, has sympathy for Williams and believes Coleman and the club's owners are as culpable for recent failings. "I don't think he [Williams] had to go," Jones told BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast programme. "I think the pressure was mounting, yes, but it's as simple as this: if you lose games, then the pressure is on you as head coach, in any club within football. "I think the problems run deeper. If we go back to January, only a few weeks ago, the chairman Andy Coleman came out and said, "Luke Williams is the perfect manager for this football club". "So much has changed in the time since... yes, down to the run, but the problems run deeper because, if we assess Swansea since they were relegated from the Premier League, Graham Potter stayed a season then moved on to a better job for him in the Premier League, Steve Cooper left under a cloud after a couple of years, Russell Martin left the club under a cloud. "We're talking about good managers here. But none of them have stayed for too long because of problems behind the scenes." Asked what needs to change, Jones said: "Naturally, new owners often want to put their own stamp on things, which often means a change in management. "But we haven't seen anything yet since the new owners have come in . That's what January was for to all purposes, to see how much money there was to invest, and nothing. So, the problems run deeper, and I hope now we can get the right person in."
